Where to spend a Christmas day out in London

Nowhere does Christmas like Covent Garden. From buildings drenched in Christmas lights to mulled wine and mince pies, available at numerous pop-up and permanent locations, there’s seemingly no end to the festivities.
Head to the North Piazza for hourly snowfall from 12 to 5pm until 27th December, just next to London’s tallest Christmas tree, standing at 55ft tall and lit up with 30,000 Christmas lights. Expect festive menus from the likes of Frenchie, Ivy Market Grill and SUSHISAMBA, and heated terraces brimming with seasonal atmosphere at ground level and high above the crowds at VyTA. Plus don’t miss the mulled wine festival, on until 24th December, and a newly launched Christmas Village pop-up featuring eight bookable bauble-themed dining domes in amongst a magical Christmas tree forest.

Deemed ‘the very definition of festive fun’ by Time Out, Skate returns to Somerset House – this year in partnership with luxury champagne house, Moët & Chandon. Just for the festive period, the iconic location’s courtyard transforms into a magical winter wonderland, complete with an ice-skating rink, contemporary music and an array of warming refreshments. Don’t miss the chance to pose next to the 40ft Christmas tree, adorned with decorations curated by Moët & Chandon.
Whether you’re up for skating lessons with Skate School or a late-night skate to the sound of a DJ set with Skate Lates and UNIQLO, there’s an ice-bound adventure for you. Plus, Chalet Barragiste and Skate Lounge make the perfect pitstops to toast the season of celebration.

Providing panoramic views over a frosty London sky, Skylight’s rooftop igloo village is the perfect place to spend a festive day out. Complete with mini heaters, faux fur rugs, thick blankets and warming welcome drinks, these alpine-inspired igloos are by far the venue’s cosiest viewpoint. Plus, table service and a dedicated menu make your experience all the more indulgent.
The vibes continue throughout the wider Tobacco Dock venue at The Après Ski Lodge, a mountain-themed chalet located on Skylight Rooftop’s lower level, and Off-Piste, a secret speakeasy bar offering a range of cocktail making and tasting experiences. For true seasonal escapism, head to the Christmas Cocktail Cinema to watch festive classics like Home Alone 1 and 2, Love Actually, The Holiday, Last Holiday, Bad Santa, and A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas.
Launching early December, and open from Thursday to Sunday, Skylight Christmas at Tobacco Dock is the place to be for festive eating and drinking.

To make up for last year’s missed plans, Southbank’s Winter Market festivities returned early this year, with Londoners able to start celebrating as early as 4th November. Take a leisurely stroll along the riverside, sample festive food as you go from a curation of seasonal stalls, and stop off for a winter warmer or festive fizz at Beltane & Pop or Grays & Feather. For a more private pitstop, why not cosy up in a heated snowglobe at Jimmy’s Winter Lodge? Then, round-off your day of discovery at the open-air Winter Light exhibition, brightening the Southbank Centre site and the darkest months of the year with a series of playful light-based artworks.

This season, watch your favourite festive films – such as Elf, Love Actually and Home Alone – with a twist at Backyard Cinema. Enjoy a truly immersive cinema experience at the brand’s very own Capital Studios in Wandsworth – home to two themed movie theatres: The Winter Night Garden and The Snow Kingdom. While you’re there, head to the Studio Bar, The Annex or The Yard to pick up some food and drink. Plus, for December only, Backyard Cinema is taking over Troxy – an East-London-based art deco cinema – and transforming it into a magical movie paradise. The Christmas Movie Spectacular show will feature a performance from a live choir and an original story narrated by award-winning writer George the Poet. With regular daytime, afternoon and evening showings at both locations, there’s bound to be a slot to suit your jam-packed Christmas schedule.